As the drama behind the Global Funding for Education (GPE) for Somalia keeps unfolding, before any funds have been released, and before any agreement has been reached amongst GPE, the Federal Government and Somalia’s Federal Member States, Somalia’s Minister of Education Farah Sheikh Abdikadir allegedly, in violation of the rule of law and in a conflict of interest riddled process, has hired staff and colleagues from his two private universities in Mogadishu, the Simad and Daha Universities, as consultants for the Federal Member States. These advisory positions were supposed to be filled by the Federal Member States.
MP Abdillahi Hashi Abib, the only FGS Member of Parliament trying to hold GPE and Minister Farah Abdikadir accountable, has today written to Padraig Power of GPE, “The Minister’s actions violate the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia by interfering with the internal affairs and responsibilities of Federal Member States regarding their education management. Equally concerning is that organizations like the GPE, Save the Children, and CARE International accept the Minister’s narrative without scrutiny.”
MP Abib has received documents detailing that $601,000 has been allocated by GPE to Farah Abidkadir’s Ministry of Education to hire advisors; however, no funds have been allocated for Federal Member State Ministries of Education.
The move by Minister Farah Abdikadir to be the sole person responsible for the hiring of advisors is explained by MP Abib as a “political move to fulfill election promises by placing supporters in high-paying government jobs, violating procurement law, ethical codes and the right of every citizen to equal job opportunities.”
Additional questionable allocations in the amount of $6,574,330 for consultants, Save the Children additional staff costs, supervision and monitoring, technical staff, travel and logistics, and MOECHE staff have been particularly pointed out by MP Abib as overlapping, unclear and confusing.
“I need GPE and Save the Children to clarify these expenses, including the percentage of overhead and running costs compared to actual funds going directly to the program,” MP Abib wrote to GPE.
MP Abib concluded by urging all FGS parliament members and all Federal Member States to rise and demand accountability from Minister Farah Abdikadir and to abide by the rule of law.
In his letter, MP Abib requests from GPE “further explanation, including the fund allocations for each Federal Member State, Somaliland, SSC, and Banadir Region. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education’s fund allocations must be transparent to enable parliament to conduct proper oversight, ensuring the project meets agreed benchmarks, with state ministries having full management authority while the federal ministry provides oversight.”
Contributed to by Daljir staff members in Garoowe and Nairobi
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